How can I get a high score in IELTS? Any tips?

Just to put things into perspective a little bit…

“How can I get a high score in IELTS? Any tips?” Well, this is the number one question I receive either on my YouTube channel or on Facebook. I really have to tell you though that tips, techniques, methods, and even tricks for all four sections can only work if your level of English is good enough.

Usually students search for tips and magic tricks for scoring high in IELTS but they tend to forget the most important thing: IELTS assesses your level of English, not your ability to learn methods and strategies. Consequently, lots of you end up wondering: “Well, I’ve tried everything!! Why is my score still the same?“

The answer to this question is two-fold. Either you haven’t given all these strategies and techniques enough time for them to actually start showing results OR-and maybe most importantly-your level of English is not good enough for these tips to actually work for you-yet.

Tips are not magic: they are not going to work instantly and they are not going to improve your overall knowledge of the language. Tips are very valuable only if your level of English is already good and you use them for guidance and even then, they will need some practice and time in order to work. IELTS is a vast topic and whole websites are dedicated to it for your preparation-this one included, so no wonder that just some tips cannot raise your score!

Bear in mind that no matter how much you practice and no matter how many tips you follow, the most important thing along with your practice is to try and learn the language a little bit better as a whole and work on the weaknesses only you know you have. Vocabulary, grammar, and syntax are assessed not directly but indirectly in all four sections of the exam.

Last but not least, never forget the reason that you actually take the exam. Most students believe that IELTS is the only obstacle and if they pass everything will be great. Well, you probably take the exam either for your studies or in order to work abroad. In both cases, your English needs to be good. Otherwise, you will need to quickly improve your English and you will do this the hard way! So, make your self a favour and start working on your level, weaknesses, vocabulary, and writing not for IELTS’S sake but for your own!

I’d love to hear your opinion below in the comments section! What do you think? How much do tips help you? What do you do during your preparation that is helpful? How do you deal with your weaknesses? Let me know!

Comments

hey dori hi.
First of all, I would like to extend my thanks for your kind help.
i am taking IELTS test next month.
i just downloaded all your videos from youtube and I am also keeping up with the additional info on this website of yours.
keep up the good work.

Respected mem
one can not deny that, for an IELTS candidate the level of English must be better. But on the other hand if some have a problem of particular module than it is not fair to say that, “your english level is not good so leave IELTS”.
hope you understand.

I think you totally misunderstood the point the article wants to make. First of all, it is never stated that “one has to leave IELTS” that would be a ridiculous thing to say! Anyone can succeed in IELTS, but s/he needs the right kind of practice according to his/her own personal weaknesses.

If you read carefully, the article states the reasons that some people cannot improve their scores and no matter how many practice tests they do their scores stay the same repeatedly. In these cases, the reasons are two: not enough time practicing the right way or just their English is not equivalent for the band they require.

For example, if a person scores a 7 and he needs a 9 this doesn’t mean that he is not a good user of English (he most certainly is) but for a 9 he must improve his skills even more so as to get a 9. If he just does practice tests one after another without improving his skills as a whole or his techniques, this 7 is not likely to change. That’s what the article wants to say. Of course, the article doesn’t know all the cases of students or your weaknesses, only you know your weaknesses and what you need to improve.

Again, if only one section is the problem this won’t improve instantly. It will require practice and time. And it doesn’t mean that you don’t know English. However, if you keep doing the same things, you cannot expect different results.

For instance, as I say in the FAQ section, have you really studied the practice tests you have done? Did you spend enough time understanding your mistakes before going on to do the next practice test? This is a matter of not doing the right kind of practice. If you do all that and give yourself enough time and the techniques still don’t work then, you need to improve something; either vocabulary, grammar, syntax etc but only you know that.

Things are pretty simple but far from “leaving the ielts”. I hope this helps a little bit! Good luck!

Hi ,, you are correct , because i tried a lot of practice test , but there is not improvement, so i have to look to my level of English and work on my self to improve my ability on understand all English topic and can easy do the exam .
thank you very much for your tips and we need more help to pass IELTS exam .

Hi, your tips is very helpful.I’m trying to develope my all language section to use your tips.Actually I’ll participate in IELTS test After 10th to 12th month.I wish every time you help me to give your important suggestion through my mail .

Success Stories!

Hi Dori! Finally, I made it and got band 7.5 in IELTS! Thanks so much! I should admit that your lessons are very helpful for any one who wants to pass the test with a high score.

Mahmud Salem

Dear Dori, I admit this is my first time to leave a comment on YouTube. I would rather leave this comment on your website but unfortunately it is under maintenance. I couldn't just take the benifits of your videos without saying thank you so much! Thank you Miss Dori for your great effort in making such excellent videos to help IELTS candidates without waiting for gain other than filling the passion of teaching others. With only 2 weeks preparation period, I got a score band of 7, although it was my first time to take the exam. This wouldn't be achieved without the help of my God then your unique and excellent way of teaching through delivering effective tips and strategies. Since I got used to your voice in each video, it is still ringing inside my ears but I should tell" Hello everyone! This is Dori. She is a GREAT English teacher. And today we will talk about how to save your time in preparing for IELTS and be oriented to this exam. Watch her YouTube channel!" I highly recommend Dori's videos for IELTS candidayes.Honey, stay blessed and happy!﻿